Thank you, author Margie Yee Webb, for directing me to the feature story by Dahlynn McKowen in July 2012 edition of e-newsletter The Wow Principles–from Publishing Syndicate:

“Books and Good Old Rock ‘n’ Roll” story about attending the American Library Association Show and Kathi Kamen Goldmark (author; musician; founder of the band Rock Bottom Remainders)… Kathi, we miss you so very much

Writing Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan helps her clients identify themes, universal archetypes, front-story and back-story. As coach and author of Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days, she says: “Make your name synonymous with the issues you write about, whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction.”
Teresa has built her own platform happily; her novel Love Made of Heart and her short play Answer Me Now carry the themes closest to her heart: mother-daughter relationship, and, speaking openly about stigmas attached to mental illness.

Playwright Teresa LeYung-Ryan reads her 10-minute monologue Answer Me Now at San Mateo County Fair--photo by Martin Shane Dowd

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan’s 10-minute monologue Answer Me Now (middle-aged woman asks her dead mother a question) is one of nine winning-plays to be produced by Redwood Writers & 6th Street Playhouse Play Festival.

What’s the connection? Lynn Cook Henriksen is immediate past-president of Women’s National Book Association-San Francisco Chapter; Linda Joy Myers is current co-president; I (Teresa LeYung-Ryan) am current Secretary of the Board. We and Joyce are also involved with San Francisco Writers Conference. I’m hoping to see SFWC, WNBA and California Writers Club (CWC) colleagues as we all cheer for Lynn!

Mother-Daughter connection: Lynn’s book TellTale Souls: Writing the Mother Memoir is about how to write your mother memoir; Linda Joy’s memoir is Don’t Call Me Mother and her how-to book is The Power of Memoir; my novel Love Made of Heart and my play Answer Me Now carry the theme closest to my heart: mother-daughter relationship.

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Well, Of course Lynn Cook Henriksen’s book launch was a lovely event. Joyce Turley hosted the champagne and brownie gala. Lynn was surrounded by adoring fans/friends. We are all so proud of her!

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan encourages you to wear your many hats as a writer — work on the craft and your platform at the same time. Take a look at the exercises in Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days. I can help you polish your manuscript (identify themes, universal archetypes, front-story & back-story) AND coach you on platform-building – click here.

A long long time ago (or fifteen years ago in the publishing industry in this country), a writer could get by with talent and perseverance once he/she gets that first break.

How are you doing? Are you thinking What is this being a writer all about?

Remember that delightful song “Don’t Worry Be Happy” (written and performed by Bobby McFerrin)? If we are lucky enough to have writing instruments and not having to worry about coercion or persecution from any source, then, let’s don our writers’ hats.

KIDNAPPED on 27 April 2012 on his way to school.
NAYATI MOODLIAR
from Mont’Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
12 years old, 1.5 m height, dark brown hair and eyes,
mixed origin of Indian and Caucasian. http://www.mkis.edu.my/ Thank you!

reading Mary Jo McConahay’s riveting memoir Maya Roads: One Woman’s Journey Among the People of the Rainforest

writing to writers who attended my sessions or received coaching from me at 2012 San Francisco Writers Conference to let them know that I’m here to help them polish their manuscripts and build their writers’ platforms and fanbases.

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here to encourage you to wear your many hats as a writer — work on the craft and your platform at the same time. Pursue more and more resources . . . by visiting my website and this blog on a regular basis. If you are not in the vicinity of the events I blog about . . . please look at the names of the people who are referenced in my posts, go to their websites by clicking on the links I provide or your keying their names in a search engine. The people I blog about will lead you to their colleagues, and so on. More ways to build your platform? See the exercises in Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days. I can help you polish your manuscript (identify themes, universal archetypes, front-story & back-story) AND coach you on platform-building – click here.

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here to encourage you to pursue more and more resources . . . by visiting my website and this blog on a regular basis to find other people who can help you polish your craft and further build your platform. If you are not in the vicinity of the events I blog about . . . please look at the names of the people who are referenced in my posts, go to their websites by clicking on the links I provide or your keying their names in a search engine. The people I blog about will lead you to their colleagues, and so on. More ways to build your platform? See the exercises in Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days.

From 2005 through 2008, Al Young served as poet laureate of California. Other honors include NEA, Fulbright and Guggenheim Fellowships, the Richard Wright Award for Literary Excellence, and most recently, the 2011 Thomas Wolfe Award. Widely translated, Al Young’s many books include poetry, fiction, essays, anthologies and musical memoirs.

Bill has a master’s degree in poetics from New College of California. He has been writing seriously for over 35 years. Bill is the author of Concern: for Angels and Suburbs of myChildhood. He is also founder of Taurean Horn Press and has published 14 books. He has spent his life in the service of poetry, often helping his fellow poets behind the scenes of the Petaluma Poetry Walk.

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Juanita Martin is the 1st Poet Laureate, Fairfield, CA 2010-2012. She is an award-winning poet, freelance writer and performance artist. Her poetry appears in journals such as Blue Collar Review, Some Literary Review and Rattlesnake Review.

All three writers transport Reader to another place another time masterfully: Carol Sheldon (Mother Lode the novel); Mary Jo McConahay (Maya Roads: One Woman’s Journey Among the People of the Rainforest the memoir); and Woody Allen ( Midnight in Paris the screenplay).

How these Authors pull Reader into their story worlds:

Carol Sheldon puts Protagonist Jorie in a blizzard, with no town lights in sight, and it’s almost impossible to steer a steady course with the buggy. . . . One wrong move and the gelding could slip into a ditch . . . . I need to get to the sheriff’s. I need to get there soon . . . .

By the way, Carol Sheldon will be at Book Passage in Corte Madera, CA on Sunday March 18, 2012 at noon! http://carolsheldon.wordpress.com/ Yours truly Writing Coach Teresa gets to interview Carol on stage at this event!

And, Carol Sheldon will be performing her 15-minute play Three Old Ladies Talk About Sex for Fringe of Marin Festival of New Bay Area One-Act Plays and Solos at Dominican University Campus in Meadowlands Assembly Hall (San Rafael, CA). Carol is in Program I. Five dates in April 2012 to choose from. http://www.fringeofmarin.com/performanceschedule.html

Maya Roads: One Woman's Journey Among the People of the Rainforest by Mary Jo McConahay

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Midnight in Paris by Woody Allen - movie opens with over 3 minutes of visuals and music only (no human voices)

Woody Allen dedicated over 3 minutes of visuals and music only (no human voices) to show us his story-world – Paris in day light; Paris in rain light; Paris in night light; the music evokes a sense of longing.

Protagonist Gil’s first words: “This … is unbelievable! There is no city like this in the world.”